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Ruthven, IA
City in Palo Alto County, Iowa.
Population
732
Land area
0.4sq mi
People per sq mi
1,794
ZIP codes
0
Ruthven and its ZIP codes
Ruthven at a glance
- Ruthven is about 31 times as dense as Iowa as a whole.
- Households here earn a median of $58,625 a year, 22% less than the Iowa figure of $75,059.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $105,700 (49% below Iowa) and median rent is $608 a month.
Local data for Ruthven, IA
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Ruthven, IA, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$58,625
Poverty rate
15.3%
Median home value
$105,700
Median rent
$608/mo
Homeownership
78.4%
Bachelor's or higher
18.6%
Median age
34.5
Average commute
21.8 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: German Americans (180), Irish Americans (107), Norwegian Americans (43).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Palo Alto County. PPP loans are for Ruthven.
Unemployment rate
2.4%
Sep 2026, -0.1 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$49,216
3,659 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$65,535
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$67.7M
FY 2026, $7,527 per person
How people get to work
Ruthven, IA, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone73.7%
- Carpooled16.1%
- Public transit0.0%
- Walked3.8%
- Bicycle0.0%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other1.6%
- Worked from home4.8%
Average one-way commute: 21.8 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Ruthven, IA, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Very Low
Top: drought
Storm events since 1996
512
Countywide, mostly hail
Flood insurance policies
8
0.1% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
85° / 7°F
33.6 inches of rain a year
Health statistics
Share of adults in Ruthven, IA, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
38.3%
U.S. 33.3% +5.0 pts
Diabetes
11.4%
U.S. 12.1% -0.7 pts
Smoking
13.3%
U.S. 12.8% +0.5 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
6.3%
U.S. 11.1% -4.8 pts
Cities near Ruthven
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| DickensCity | 6.2 mi | 0.8 |
| AyrshireCity | 7 mi | 0.2 |
| GraettingerCity | 10 mi | 0.8 |
| Gillett GroveCity | 11 mi | 0.2 |
| EmmetsburgCity | 11 mi | 3.8 |
| TerrilCity | 13 mi | 0.5 |
| CurlewCity | 13 mi | 0.8 |
| SpencerCity | 13 mi | 10.9 |
| WebbCity | 14 mi | 0.5 |
| WallingfordCity | 14 mi | 1 |
| GreenvilleCity | 15 mi | 0.2 |
| FostoriaCity | 15 mi | 0.4 |
| RossieCity | 17 mi | 0.1 |
| MallardCity | 17 mi | 0.4 |
| CylinderCity | 18 mi | 0.1 |
| MilfordCity | 19 mi | 2.2 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Ruthven, IA in?
- Ruthven is in Palo Alto County, Iowa.
- What is the population of Ruthven, IA?
- About 732 people live in Ruthven, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Ruthven?
- Nearby places include Dickens (6.2 mi), Ayrshire (7 mi), Graettinger (10 mi), Gillett Grove (11 mi), Emmetsburg (11 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023